The communities around Naval Air Station Pensacola and Naval Air Station Whiting Field in Florida celebrated their selection as a Great American Defense Community during a recent Pensacola Blue Wahoos baseball game.

The installations’ commanding officers participated in the first pitch and first catch, followed by a gametime reception with installation leaders, community members and business supporters.

“The collective support the communities provide our military, military-connected families and veterans is unmatched,” said Sal Nodjomian, an ADC board member with longtime ties to the community, who presented the Great American Defense Communities flag at the event. “It’s no mystery why so many service members elect to call this area home.”

View photos of the celebration.

The region is one of five members of the Great American Defense Communities class of 2021, along with Altus, Okla., Everett, Wash., Coastal Georgia and Great Falls, Mont.

Community photo